Who Mahua? Asks law ministry now

Mahua Moitra, till recently considered a key member of Rahul Gandhi’s youth brigade in West Bengal, is set to lose her high-profile status in the law ministry, following her decision to join the Trinamool Congress.

Mahua Moitra, till recently considered a key member of Rahul Gandhi’s youth brigade in West Bengal, is set to lose her high-profile status in the law ministry, following her decision to join the Trinamool Congress.

Moitra (34), till now was treated as a prominent personality in the ministry and regularly attended all public functions organised by it, including media briefings by Law minister M. Veerappa Moily.

Red-faced ministry officials now say she did not hold any post in the ministry, but are unable to explain her presence at all important engagements.

HT has learnt that Moitra was tipped to be a key functionary of the proposed special purpose vehicle being set up by the ministry for the implementation of legal reforms.

“She did not hold any post in the law ministry. She has nothing to do with us anymore,” said a top ministry official. Moily’s office said the minister “unavailable for comments”.

The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) has also denied any link with her. “She was not even a member of the organisation,” said an IYC leader. Moitra responded with a message: “Sorry. I don’t talk to the press.”

The extent of her influence was visible at a national seminar organised by the ministry on May 1-2, where her name was mentioned along with a consultant of a leading law firm, and law secretary D. R. Meena was pulled up for pronouncing her name wrong.